050210-M-MP816-005

U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Patrick Parks, right, a platoon Sergeant with Headquarters and Service Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, talks to village elders to gain information about security in the area, during a patrol in the Khowst province of Afghanistan, Feb. 10, 2005. The Marines are conducting security and stabilization operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. James Yarboro/Released)